Financial Aid is available through loans, grants, and work study employment. Financial Aid Staff also provide information
on other types of financial assistance.
Apply for financial aid as soon as possible
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available in mid-January for the next school year.
How to apply
Visit the FAFSA government web site at www.fafsa.gov to FILL OUT THE FAFSA ON-LINE.
When to apply
After January 1 each year. Students may apply for aid before they are accepted into a degree or diploma program.
However, a financial aid award cannot be completed until a student is accepted into an eligible degree program.
You must apply for Financial Aid every school year.
IRS Retrieval Data
Starting in 2012-2013, the types of documents a student is required to submit will vary depending on the information on the FAFSA. If students and parents of dependent students utilize the IRS Data Retrieval tool while completing the FAFSA, this could reduce the number of documents required. Beginning February 1, this tool transfers tax data directly from the IRS. In general, it takes approximately 2 weeks for electronically filed tax information to be available or 6-8 weeks for a paper tax return to be available.
Here's how it works:
· If you indicate the federal tax return has already been completed, an information box will ask if certain situations apply. These situations are used to determine eligibility for the IRS Data Retrieval.
· If you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval, you will be asked your PIN and you must click Link to IRS.
· The IRS will ask a series of questions to verify you are the taxpayer.
· Once you have verified your identity and the tax information is available, you must click Transfer Now for the data to populate the FAFSA. If you make any changes to this data, the Financial Aid Office may require you submit a tax transcript.
If the IRS Data Retrieval is unavailable during the initial filing of the FAFSA, you can update this information at a later date.
To qualify for federal or state aid programs
- Show financial need (determined by the FAFSA)
- Have a high school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED® Certificate),
or pass an Ability-To-Benefit test approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education
- Be accepted into a degree or diploma program
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credits of program classes
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Be a Wisconsin resident (for state funds)
- Have a valid social security number
- Be registered with the Selective Service if required to do so
- Maintain satisfactory progress, as defined by the College
For more information, call (920) 498-5444, or (888) 385-6982.